Dumbass in Distress

[Kion]

    Kiongozi had heard the commotion, and his curiosity got the better of him. It was likely something important, and if he was to show that he and his siblings could be trusted and were not like Simba and Nala, then he'd do anything to help out and do what was right. He was the Fiercest and Leader of the Lion Guard, after all! This wasn't the pridelands, but he'd do anything to keep those in the Dawnseekers safe. But his heart sank when he heard those words.

"Kopa... has been... he's been captured by the Blackblood Legion,"

    What?! Captured!? Kopa, what had you done?! The young male knew that Kopa was stubborn, and downright stupid at times. But this... he wouldn't take such risks like that and go and do something without back-up or approval of the council, right? ...Right? The golden lion felt every inch of his body freeze and his ears drew back with a shake. No, he couldn't lose Kopa too! They lost so much already, they had to get him back!

    "We have to save him!" He roared loudly, snapping out of his stupor. He wasn't thinking clearly, and he was basically on auto-pilot at this point. They had to stage a rescue for Kopa and get him back! He then ran right towards where Kiara and... The Gourmand were. "We need to rescue him immediately! Please, he's a part of us! We can't lose him!" He was pleading, no, begging for them to rescue him. Kopa may have been an angry, stubborn idiot, but he was their angry stubborn idiot. 

[Genie]

Genie had now gathered quite a crowd. But this time, as the Gourmand spoke, Genie glared at him. "Are you serious? Is that what you are worried about? Secrets? And not someone's life?" Sure, Genie joked, but never about the life of another person. That was just downright cruel. And even though the Gourmand wasn't joking, he was still very offended. He turned away from the Gourmand, ignoring him so he could talk to the others. He'd have to tell them what happened sooner or later. Might as well have been sooner.

"We were... surrounded. Kopa managed to take out a Blackblood, and lept at another one, but was shot down with dark magic by Nasira. If I hadn't left, both of us would have been taken and I'd never get here, to warn you. He... insisted on going with me. I was going to go alone, but it might have caused a commotion if I had left him, and he insisted greatly."

Genie heard their shouts and anger, but he honestly didn't mind. "I made a mistake, but I wouldn't let Aladdin hanging, and I am not sorry I tried to save my friend. I didn't find him though. If not for Kopa though, I wouldn't have been able to escape as quickly as I did."

Genie wondered if he should continue but didn't.

[Li Shang]

"No need, Princess. I caught the drift of the dilemma."

Shang stepped forward from where he stood, behind Genie and facing the others. Armed with his sword, Shang's visage was grim and... frankly, somber. The lion's motivations upon heading into the heart of enemy territory was not one Shang would follow, but now was no time to discuss the ethics of what happened. Now was the time to plan. "A captured enemy is a valuable tool for information, Officer Gourmand is correct. However, our biggest concern is that the Legion might be able to track down us if not through tracing back your teleportation, Genie. Should we be found, I'm not sure we could withstand another attack like that of Africa. Granted, magic is not in great usage in the Middle Kingdom, and honestly, I'm not sure magics that track the scent through teleportation even exists. But we must be wary for anything."

Shang quickly stepped forward, glancing between Kiara and Shani. "As your loyal servant and student of war, I must insist that preparations be made for defending the camp. Granted, only two of the four Council Members are here to make a full decision, but-"

"Actually, Shang, make that 3 out of 4. And let me recap, see if I got it all down."

Flynn Rider stepped his way through the angry, growing crowd. A half-smirk was plastered to his face, as if were he to stop, it would cause him to break down. Those in close contact with the rogue would notice his hand still went to his chest; it appeared this wound build some slight muscle memory. "So, the lion prince decides to go to Agrabah, because Aladdin is there, supposedly, and you two are ambushed, and somehow you get seperated and you lose Kopa? Seems pretty irresponsible to me for an all-powerful djinn, but hey, I'm just a simple man who found out animals talk 3 months ago. Nothing can really surprise me anymore, nor should my personal thoughts on facts be taken with anything less than 17 grains of salt. And yes, that's exact, Blondie made me count."

Flynn waved his hands, and continued, "Anyways, so now they have a hostage, and might I add, a hot blooded, irrational, and dare I say MOODY prisoner who wouldn't hesitate to brag the Freedom Fighters escaped and reformed? No offense, Kiara, figured I say that while I'm at it. And our options are to somehow infiltrate Agrabah, THE headquarters for the entire Legion, somehow get Kopa out, all without revealing that there's not a 3rd army still hiding in the New World? Sounds like a suicide mission with an extremely low rate of success."

Flynn then shrugged. "Somehow we escaped the onslaught of the Blackbloods in Africa by mere minutes, not to mention good ol' boy Shang here did hand-pick a good group of troops to come out and help. I've been starting to think Lady Luck has taken a shine to the few of us. I don't see why a rescue mission couldn't be considered, if there is a concern."

[Hercules]

Hercules had heard the commotion and spotted a small group gathering in the middle of the clearing, yelling and shouting and debating. They seemed to be surrounding a blue being and realized it was Genie. He decided to step in before the poor djinn was overwhelmed. While he had never had genies around in Greece, stories would travel around about them. They were a powerful force. But only if they were trapped to one person. if they were freed, he assumed their power would lessen. He thought it simple to think up, but perhaps others didn't think that way.

The young man slipped through the crowd with ease and stood near Genie, but wasn't right next to him. More like in front of him and a few feet away. Hercules heard what Kiara said, and shook his head. "No need, either, I'm already here," said the council member. He would have to analyze the situation before he came to any decisions. Firstly, Genie had explained what had happened in Agrahbah. Alright. Then the Gourmand and Shang cut in saying that it could be suicide attempting to rescue the lion prince. He sort of agreed, but if there was a chance of success on the rescue mission, then it wouldn't be so easily found.

"While I understand, we'd have to take into consideration that there are ways, even if they aren't yet to be seen or discovered. We need to consider all of our options before making any decisions. First of all, if we wait, there is more of a chance that the Blackblood Legion could crack the young lion over time. if we go now, the enemy has less time to do anything but might expect us. So both of the options have faults," Hercules finished.

Hercules actually had to think it over about what they could do. They could just leave Kopa, but that didn't seem right, nor would it settle well with him. While the lion had been reckless, it didn't excuse the fact of leaving him there. But if they did go, they might be less than successful, and it would have been for not. "Other ideas? Something that won't endanger us, but won't leave Kopa hanging?" he asked. A middle ground. A compromise. That was what he was offering.

[Mega]

”You-you are going no where near him!” Afua spat out, teeth bared at Gourmand, Kiara’s words from that night echoing in his brain from their pride meeting. “We can’t-we aren’t just leaving him there are we?” Afua chokes out voice tight with emotion over his oh so stupid friends actions. A glare was shot in Afua’s direction before Mega turns to Kiara and Kion listening to what the other council members that arrived had said.

“You’re not really thinking of leaving him there?” He glances between Shang and Flynn.

[Boso]

Boso's mouth twisted, and he flicked one of his ears as though he were staying a fly. He continued to stare hard and accusingly at Genie, but he did not say a word - not until Shani said her piece.

He scoffed at Genie's explanation. "We haven't heard from Aladdin in months. If you've tracked him to Agrabah but didn't find him then it should be pretty obvious what happened," Boso said unsympathetically. "Like you two geniuses, he chose to cross into enemy territory and got himself captured." His lip curled. "You're lucky you escaped in one piece - too lucky. Couldn't you have just...oh I don't know...'poofed' Kopa back to camp?"

All around him, the concerned murmuring of those whom arrived turned to heated arguments. Some quarreled vehemently that they should go rescue Kopa, and others disagreed just as violently. 

Afua, one of Kopa's biggest supporters, bared his teeth at the Gourmand.

"You're not really thinking of leaving him there?"

Boso could stand it no longer. "Why not?" he snarled. "Why should we risk our lives for a lion who only thinks about himself?! We've already lost too much! We've lost our home, our friends and our leader! My father! Our father!" His brown eyes darted to Kiara, Kanzi and Shani before returning his attention to the rest. "We're still recovering! We're in no state to go to Agrabah! Why should we risk more loss?! Why should we put our friends and family on the line after we've suffered so much?! Why?!"

[Shani]

One by one members of the Dawnseekers gathered at the sound of commotion. 
Kiara had quickly joined Shani at her side as Genie explained what had happened. A frown creased her face as he spoke, which only deepened the more onlookers joined in, angry voices quickly filling the air.

It didn't take long for the other two council members, as well as the officers. Good. They needed to deliberate on what they were going to do in this situation. Though The Gourmands tone caused a flicker of annoyance to cross her face, she brushed that aside for now.
Unfortunetly things only seemed to escalate, especially when Kion and Afua decided to toss in their two cents.

"We need to rescue him immediately! Please, he's a part of us! We can't lose him!"

”You-you are going no where near him! We can’t-we aren’t just leaving him there are we?”

Her ears twitched, catching every word of each party member currently present, however it was when Boso spoke that Shani couldn't handle the arguments any longer.

"Why should we risk our lives for a lion who only thinks about himself?! We've already lost too much! We've lost our home, our friends and our leader! My father! Our father! We're still recovering! We're in no state to go to Agrabah! Why should we risk more loss?! Why should we put our friends and family on the line after we've suffered so much?! Why?!"

"ENOUGH!" She roared over the thrall of voices.
Once quiet had fallen on the group, and she assumed all their attention was on her, she gave a short sigh, and spoke,
"The Council and the officers will discuss our options. The rest of you, return to your duties. We will let you all know when we have come to a decision."

She then turned and spoke to Boso, and the royal family directly,
"You all have valid reasons to be upset, but this is not an easy decision to make, and arguing about it won't help anybody, and it certainly won't help Kopa. Boso, I understand you're afraid of losing family, but don't forget that Kopa is family to some too."

She turned toward the council's cabin, brushing her tail against Kiara's side, before flicking it in the direction of the higher ranks,
"We should address this in private. The rest of you are dismissed."
Heaven help if someone tried to talk back or argue, the blind lioness had very little patience left.
 

[Kiara]

Yells traveled fast in the camp it seemed. With the Council members summoned -- each greeted by a grateful dip of Kiara's head -- they could get to the business at paw. Discussing exactly what had happened and what could be done. Opinions from each of the three humans were voiced in earnest, and to Kiara's deepening sadness she couldn't help but agree with many of the points they made.

Kopa had made his bed. He was a hot-headed teen urged on by impulse rather than planning. The question now had to be whether mounting a rescue attempt was worth the danger to the entire army.

No matter how much Kiara's heart might break with the decision.

Ears flicked back as Kion and Afua alike charged upon the scene, emotions visibly volatile at the news. Kiara couldn't even find the words to comfort them, to tell them that it would be alright, of course they would rescue Kopa.

The choking emotions in her throat forbade the voicing of such a lie.

Kiara was saved from having to address the yelling with her own rising emotions -- a result that likely would have led simply to more emotional upheavals -- by Shani's outburst. It gave the liger a moment to simply breathe. To calm herself enough that she might have a chance at calming her fellows.

As the darker feline addressed the gathered crowd Kiara stepped forward and drew both male lions closer to her with a gesture. In a quiet undertone designed to comfort and carry only to the pair she attempted her best assurance. "We'll do what we can for Kopa, I promise. Please," Leaning forward Kiara brushed her muzzle to their foreheads, a gentle press of her nose in something not dissimilar to a kiss. "Don't leave the camp. I'll let you know as soon as we come to a decision."

With that and the gentle summons of Shani's tail against her side Kiara turned away, her expression closing to stone as she rejoined her fellow ranking members in heading towards the Council's cabin chambers.

[The Gourmand]

The Gourmand took a breath. Near everyone involved was starting to get on his nerves, most especially that blue buffoon: he was one to talk about valuing life, taking a kid on a suicide mission without backup and without telling anyone where he was going. Any would-be valuable contribution was drowned out by screaming. At least the feline that appeared to be the youngest seemed to be genuinely worried without feeling the need to to be outright belligerent. Honestly, if the Gourmand wasn't convinced certain members of this selfish “pride” were more trouble than they were worth, he was now.

If it wasn't a member of their little in-group in this situation, he doubted they'd kick up such a fuss. They put individuals over the group. It disgusted him.

The young buck spoke up before the beast’s eyes afixed into a permanent roll. A mild look of satisfaction grew upon his face. Fina-fucking-ly, someone called these clowns out. And when Shani chimed in, he’d by then leaned his cheek into his fist, waiting patiently for the rabble to die off. What a pain.

He remained for a short while as the others turned to take their discussion elsewhere, briefly playing bodyguard in case anyone tried something rash. He turned a wrist up, almost in resignation;

“Any further harassment from the peanut gallery will result in one basic manners class… and I will be your teacher. This is your warning."

He turned, smile still on his face as he came with the others. The Gourmand felt he was well within his rights to offer some sort of punishment for further delay, especially considering how quickly it had gotten out of hand moments ago. Briefly, he actually seemed lighthearted: the change was like black and white.

“That, that --um--” he snapped his fingers, “Um, hoof-foot. I like him.”

And then, his usual intensity returned with a vengeance. He felt no time had better be wasted.

“It looks like a lose-lose situation. If we sent anyone, there's a more than likely chance they could be killed or captured themselves, then we would have this situation ten times worse. But if we leave him, he cracks, and we're found… you can imagine what that entails. ...I may -- be considering a third course of action, but it would not involve a rescue. The reality is, the group will need to outweigh the individual.

“Excuse me-- I think aloud when I think hard.”

[Flynn Rider]

Upon the reaction to his words, Flynn shrugged. Maybe they missed the part about Lady Luck? In any case, his contribution was misinterpreted and misheard between the shouting lions and people. The Gourmand looked ready to rip off some heads, Afua was getting even more heated, and now even Bozo the deer was fed up and began to yell. Shani's cry of enough was... well, enough to gather attention and turn heads.

Flynn, having held back from speaking up after sharing his opinion, watched with a slow growing grin as Shani took command of the situation. He, having slid his hands into his trousers in a relaxed move, pushed forward, and stretched as Shani announced that the Council will be taking this discussion to their private hall. Taking his hands out of their resting place and dusting off his shoulders, Eugene sighed. "Well, she IS a Council Member. Alright, everyone, let's get back to work. Officer Gourmand, Officer Shang, stay close by in case we need more of a professional opinion. ...Hey, Shani, Kiara, Herc, mind if Genie comes along? I may have a few questions for the blue boy."

Regardless of their response, Flynn folded his arms behind his head, hands cupped around the back of the neck, and headed towards the
Council Hall. They were going to have a Long... LONG, discussion about this. And Eugene Fitzherbert was dreading this already.

---

Shang nodded, and turned his attention to the Gourmand's aloud wonderings. "Do you think the hostage WILL crack, Officer Gourmand? If what the others have spoken is true, then the Lion Prince Kopa is a stubborn cat. Perhaps it will take more that torture to break his spirit. If I may add, perhaps our focus should be rallying the men to defense regardless of the state of affairs with the prisoner. If anything, it could allow us to find a small team of men and women brave enough to sneak in and sneak out with the hostage. Perhaps-"

Shang paused. Did... There was no way the Gourmand suggested what he thought he suggested... did he? "Officer Gourmand... You don't mean to suggest..." And this time, Shang lowered his voice so that none but the merman meant to hear it would. "..You don't suggest we somehow eliminate both our problem and their new-found trove of information with one clean strike, do you?"